The Carolina Panthers started last season 1-6 and needed a four-game winning streak to finish 7-9, a disappointment considering the high expectations for quarterback Cam Newton's second season.

The offseason has brought change, including new general manager Dave Gettleman replacing Marty Hurney, who was fired last fall. Gettleman was a longtime executive in the New York Giants' pro personnel department.

Gettleman said before the draft he didn't see a lot of holes in Carolina, and he said after its offseason additions he remained confident in where the team stood. He inherited a tight salary-cap situation that limited his flexibility to make a massive overhaul, although he said he didn't think extensive changes were needed.

"You have to be careful you're not looking at fool's gold," Gettleman said recently. "They won five of their last six, six of their last 10. Is it real? Is it a mirage? After watching the tape and given the circumstance that team was in, for them to finish like that ... I don't think it's fool's gold. I really don't."

Gettleman's first move was to retain coach Ron Rivera, who at one point seemed destined to be fired. Rivera enters his third season with a record of 13-19. The Panthers have not made the playoffs since 2008.

Quarterbacks coach Mike Shula was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Rob Chudzinski, now head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Shula will oversee Newton's development, and how the quarterback plays and carries himself will be big factors in whether Carolina can close the gap on the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.

That Newton has asserted himself as a team leader, by publicly stating that he would like to be a captain, is a positive start.

"I think this town, this city, this state has been fiending for a winning season," Newton told news reporters at minicamp. "As a player, you owe that to fans and you owe that to yourself, especially with the hard work everybody's been doing in the offseason, coming to the facilities when they didn't have to (on) optional days and just giving unbelievable effort."

There is little question Newton is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the NFL.

But to make the jump into the conversation as one of the league's best overall passers, he has to show better consistency and maturity.

Newton says he doesn't expect a major shift with Shula taking over the offense but adds that his new boss has simplified the play-calling and wants the Panthers to get out of the huddle more quickly.

"We're just going to try to sharpen up the blade of things we've put in and installed," Newton said.

The other quarterbacks on the Panthers' offseason roster are veteran Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen and Colby Cameron.

Running back

If they can both stay healthy, the Panthers have a premier duo in Jonathan Stewart (who missed seven games last year) and DeAngelo Williams. They run behind standout fullback Mike Tolbert. Williams restructured his contract this offseason, which seems to ensure this duo will stay together for at least one more year. The Panthers were 11th in rushing attempts per game last season at 28.9, but nearly eight of those carries per game were by Newton. Gettleman drafted Oregon's Kenjon Barner in the sixth round, and he could be used as a scat-back type.

Wide receiver

The Panthers added free agents Ted Ginn Jr. (from the San Francisco 49ers) and Domenik Hixon (from the Giants) to a receiving corps that includes veteran Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell. Smith, who recently turned 34, continues to be the standout in this group. He is coming off his first consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons since 2007 and '08.

Tight end

Greg Olsen has been one of Newton's favorite targets, something that should not change in 2013. Olsen had five touchdowns in each of the last two seasons and 69 catches last season, a career high.

Offensive line

The Panthers are counting on center Ryan Kalil's return from the Lisfranc injury in his left foot that forced him to miss half of last season. When Kalil is healthy, the Panthers have one of the NFL's best offensive lines. It also includes star tackle Jordan Gross, who has started a franchise-record 151 games. That stability should help both the running game and Newton's development.

Defensive tackle

Gettleman didn't hide his intentions to rebuild the interior of this unit when he used the team's first two draft picks on defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short. Before the draft, Gettleman had said how he loved the offensive and defensive linemen in this class and referenced selecting "big hog mollies." Lotulelei is expected to start immediately alongside Dwan Edwards and ends Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson.

Linebacker

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was named defensive rookie of the year and was a revelation, as was strongside linebacker Thomas Davis, who returned from his third anterior cruciate ligament surgery. The question in this group is Jon Beason, the former Pro Bowler who is trying to return from three surgeries over the last year and a half. The Panthers think their investment in defensive tackles up front will help the linebackers have more room to operate.

Secondary

The Panthers re-signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn this spring and added free agents D.J. Moore (from the Chicago Bears) and Drayton Florence (from the Detroit Lions), although they still have issues to address. Veteran Chris Gamble retired. The Panthers had 11 interceptions last season — only five other teams had fewer.

Special teams

Kicker Graham Gano, the former Washington Redskin, is back after handling kicking duties for Carolina's final six games last season. The biggest change on special teams is Ginn's addition as kick returner.

Coaching

One of the most surprising events immediately after the 2012 season was when the Panthers decided not to fire Rivera. Perhaps the four-game winning streak to end the season saved his job. But with a new general manager and no more excuses for Newton, Rivera might have the least amount of job security of any coach in the league should the Panthers not get off to a good start.